7 Wire Fraud Tricks Scammers Use During Closings (And How Your Title Agency Stops Them)

Let's get real for a second: Wire fraud is the biggest threat to real estate closings today. Not property defects. Not title issues. Not even appraisal gaps. It's cybercriminals sitting behind computers, watching your transaction, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

In 2023 alone, homebuyers lost more than $145 million to real estate wire fraud. That's life-changing money vanishing in seconds, often impossible to recover. And here's what keeps us up at night: These scams are getting more sophisticated every single day.

But here's the good news: When you understand how these criminals operate, you can protect yourself. Even better? When you work with a title agency that prioritizes security, you've got an entire team watching your back.

Let's walk through the seven most common tricks scammers use, and exactly how we stop them at American National Land Transfer.

1. The "Spoofed" Email (Looks Exactly Like Your Title Agent)

This one's scary good. Scammers create email addresses that look nearly identical to your title agent's real email. We're talking about changing one letter, like switching an "l" for an "i" or adding an extra letter you wouldn't notice at first glance.

The email includes your property address, correct closing date, and accurate dollar amounts. The letterhead looks official. The signature matches. Everything seems legitimate, except the bank account number at the bottom.

How we stop it: At American National Land Transfer, we use verified email authentication systems and digital signatures. We also encourage all our clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to independently verify any wire instructions by calling our office directly using the phone number from our contact page , not a number from an email.

2. The Urgent Friday Afternoon Deadline

Here's the setup: It's 4:30 PM on a Friday. You're days away from closing. Suddenly, you receive an email marked "URGENT" saying the wire instructions have changed and funds must be transferred before the bank closes for the weekend, or your closing will fall through.

The pressure is intense. You're panicking. Your dream home is on the line. So you wire the money without double-checking.

How we stop it: Legitimate title insurance and settlement processes don't work this way. We provide wire instructions well in advance of your closing date, and we establish clear communication protocols from day one. If something changes (which is rare), we'll walk you through verification steps calmly and thoroughly, never with last-minute panic.

3. The "New Bank Account" Switcheroo

You've already received legitimate wire instructions from your title company. Everything's set. Then, days before closing, you get a follow-up email: "Our bank account has changed. Please use these updated instructions."

Sometimes this email even references a specific person at the title agency or mentions a recent conversation to build credibility.

How we stop it: Here's our ironclad policy at American National Land Transfer: We will NEVER change wire instructions mid-stream via email. Period. If you receive any communication about changed banking information, it's a scam. Call us immediately at our verified number, and we'll confirm your original instructions are still correct.

4. Text Message Scams (Phishing for Personal Info)

Scammers have evolved beyond email. Now they're sending text messages claiming to be from your realtor, lender, or title agent. These texts often:

• Ask you to "verify" your Social Security number or date of birth
• Request you click a link to "review closing documents"
• Push you to download an app or software to "expedite the process"
• Ask for login credentials to your bank account

How we stop it: American National Land Transfer uses secure client portals for document sharing: not random text message links. We'll never text you asking for sensitive personal information. If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from us, don't click anything. Call our office to verify before taking any action.

5. Fake Realtor Accounts

Your realtor has been with you through every showing, every offer, every negotiation. You trust them completely. That's exactly what scammers are counting on.

They create fake email accounts or even hack real accounts belonging to realtors, then monitor transactions. When closing approaches, they jump in with wire instructions or requests for deposits: and you don't think twice because the email address looks right.

How we stop it: We maintain secure communication channels with all transaction parties and verify the identity of everyone involved in your closing. During your settlement services , we cross-reference all communications and confirm proper contact information through multiple channels.

6. Compromised Vendor Accounts

This trick is particularly insidious because it targets the professionals you're working with: not you directly. Scammers send phishing emails to title company employees, lenders, or attorneys. When someone clicks a malicious link, hackers gain access to email accounts and can monitor all upcoming transactions.

They watch. They learn your transaction details. They study communication patterns. Then, at the perfect moment, they strike with wire instructions that seem completely legitimate because they came from a real account.

How we stop it: Our team undergoes regular cybersecurity training, and we've implemented robust email security protocols and multi-factor authentication across all systems. We also limit access to sensitive transaction information on a need-to-know basis. Your title insurance and closing details are protected at every level.

7. Social Engineering (Building Trust Over Weeks)

This is the long game. Scammers don't just send one email and hope for the best. They build relationships. They might:

• Pose as a helpful assistant at the title company, answering questions over several weeks
• Send legitimate-looking closing timeline updates throughout the process
• Provide actual helpful information to establish credibility
• Build rapport so when they finally request the wire transfer, you don't question it

By the time they send fraudulent wire instructions, they've communicated with you so many times that you trust them completely.

How we stop it: We establish verified communication channels from your very first interaction with American National Land Transfer. Whether you're closing in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you'll know exactly who your settlement officer is, what their direct contact information is, and how to reach them if anything seems off. We also provide clear expectations about how and when you'll receive wire instructions.

Your Shield Against Wire Fraud: What We Do Differently

At American National Land Transfer, security isn't an afterthought: it's built into every transaction. Here's what sets us apart:

Verbal Verification Protocol : Before you wire any funds, we require you to call our office using a phone number you independently verify (from our website or business card: never from an email). We'll walk you through the wire instructions over the phone.

Secure Document Portals : We use encrypted, password-protected portals for sharing sensitive documents and information. No critical information is sent through standard email.

Clear Communication Standards : From your first interaction with us, we explain exactly how we'll communicate with you, what to expect, and what red flags to watch for.

Advance Wire Instructions : We provide wire transfer information well before your closing date: never in a last-minute rush that creates pressure or panic.

Transaction Monitoring : Our team stays alert for unusual patterns or requests throughout your closing process, serving as your real estate security team in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Your Action Plan: How to Stay Safe

Even with a security-focused title agency on your side, you play a crucial role in protecting yourself. Follow these guidelines:

Always Verify by Phone : If you receive wire instructions: even if they look legitimate: call your title company using a number you find independently. Never use contact information from the email itself.

Check Email Addresses Carefully : Look for subtle misspellings or extra characters. Hover over sender names to see the actual email address.

Question Urgent Requests : Real estate professionals understand that major financial transactions require careful verification. Legitimate closings don't happen in panic mode.

Use Known Phone Numbers : Save your title agent's contact information when you first start working together. Use those saved contacts for verification: not numbers from emails or texts.

Report Suspicious Activity Immediately : If something feels off, call us right away. We'd rather have you verify ten times than wire money once to the wrong account.

Never Click Unsolicited Links : Even if an email appears to be from your title company, realtor, or lender, don't click links in emails. Instead, navigate directly to the website or call the company.

Your Closing Should Be Exciting: Not Terrifying

The reality of wire fraud can feel overwhelming, but it shouldn't cast a shadow over what should be an exciting milestone. Whether you're buying your first home, investing in commercial property, or refinancing, your closing day should be about celebration: not stress.

That's exactly why we've built our entire operation around security and transparency. When you work with American National Land Transfer for your Pennsylvania or New Jersey real estate closing, you're not just getting title insurance : you're getting peace of mind.

We've protected thousands of transactions, and we're ready to protect yours. Have questions about our security protocols or want to discuss your upcoming closing? Reach out to our team today. Because your hard-earned money deserves an extra layer of protection: and you deserve to sleep well at night knowing it's safe.